The word “upcoming” is common in English. It means something that will happen soon.
It’s simple and useful, but using it too often can make your writing sound repetitive or plain. Learning other ways to say “upcoming” helps you adjust your tone and express yourself with more variety. The right phrase can make your message sound more formal, friendly, or professional, depending on the context.
In this guide, you’ll learn the meaning of “upcoming”, when to use it, and more than 12 alternatives you can use in everyday English. You’ll also see example sentences and best-use tips. This helps you become a more confident and natural English speaker.
📘 What Does “Upcoming” Mean?
“Upcoming” is an adjective.
It describes something that will happen soon in the future.
Examples:
- upcoming event
- upcoming meeting
- upcoming exam
It’s used for future plans, schedules, and announcements.
Grammatically, it comes before the noun, like most adjectives.
🕒 When to Use “Upcoming”
You can use “upcoming” in almost any situation:
1. Formal use
- Email announcements
- Work meetings
- Reports
- Academic writing
2. Informal use
- Talking with friends
- Social media
- Text messages
3. Written English
- Blogs
- News
- Invitations
4. Spoken English
- Presentations
- Everyday conversation
It’s a flexible word that fits many tones, which is why it’s very common.
💼 Is It Professional or Polite to Say “Upcoming”?
Yes.
“Upcoming” is polite, neutral, and fully professional.
Most businesses use it in emails and announcements:
- “Please send the agenda for the upcoming meeting.”
- “We look forward to the upcoming launch.”
It’s not too formal and not too casual. It sits right in the middle, making it safe for almost every situation.
👍 Pros and 👎 Cons of Using “Upcoming”
Pros
- ✓ Easy to understand
- ✓ Neutral tone
- ✓ Works in both speaking and writing
- ✓ Professional for workplace use
- ✓ Suitable for all audiences
Cons
- ✗ Can sound repetitive
- ✗ Not very expressive
- ✗ Lacks emotional tone (excitement / urgency)
- ✗ Slightly plain in creative writing
That’s why alternatives help you communicate with more detail and color.
📚 12+ Other Ways to Say “Upcoming” (With Examples)
Below are 12 detailed alternatives, each with meaning, explanation, example sentence, best/worst use, and tone.
1. “Forthcoming”
Meaning: Coming soon; expected in the near future.
Explanation: A formal word used in business, government, or academic writing.
Example: “Please review the documents for the forthcoming meeting.”
Best Use: Business, professional writing
Worst Use: Casual texts or informal chats
Tone: Formal, respectful
2. “Approaching”
Meaning: Getting closer in time.
Explanation: Suggests something is near and you should prepare.
Example: “The deadline is approaching, so finish your report.”
Best Use: Reminders, warnings
Worst Use: Announcements requiring excitement
Tone: Neutral, slightly urgent
3. “Imminent”
Meaning: Very soon; about to happen.
Explanation: Shows urgency or quick timing.
Example: “The team is ready for the imminent launch.”
Best Use: Business updates, press releases
Worst Use: Friendly conversations
Tone: Serious, urgent
4. “Next”
Meaning: The one that follows immediately.
Explanation: Simple and clear.
Example: “The next meeting starts at 10 AM.”
Best Use: Daily speech, quick notes
Worst Use: Very formal documents
Tone: Neutral, simple
5. “On the way”
Meaning: Coming soon or already moving toward happening.
Explanation: Friendly and conversational.
Example: “We have exciting updates on the way.”
Best Use: Marketing, social media
Worst Use: Academic writing
Tone: Casual, upbeat
6. “In the pipeline”
Meaning: Being planned or developed; coming soon.
Explanation: Often used in business or tech.
Example: “We have new features in the pipeline.”
Best Use: Corporate presentations
Worst Use: Formal letters
Tone: Professional, modern
7. “In the works”
Meaning: Being prepared or created.
Explanation: Informal phrase to show progress.
Example: “A new policy is in the works.”
Best Use: Team conversations
Worst Use: Legal documents
Tone: Casual–neutral
8. “Coming up”
Meaning: Happening soon.
Explanation: Very common in speech and writing.
Example: “We have an important event coming up next week.”
Best Use: Everyday conversation
Worst Use: Highly formal emails
Tone: Friendly, neutral
9. “Soon-to-happen”
Meaning: Will occur shortly.
Explanation: Used to emphasize short timing.
Example: “We’ll share a report on the soon-to-happen upgrade.”
Best Use: Descriptive writing
Worst Use: Strictly formal contexts
Tone: Neutral
10. “Scheduled”
Meaning: Planned for a specific time.
Explanation: Highlights the official plan.
Example: “The presentation is scheduled for Friday.”
Best Use: Business meetings, planning
Worst Use: Casual texting
Tone: Formal–neutral
11. “Pending”
Meaning: Awaiting action or happening after approval.
Explanation: Often used in legal or official settings.
Example: “The deal is pending final approval.”
Best Use: Legal, corporate
Worst Use: Friendly chat
Tone: Professional, serious
12. “Coming soon”
Meaning: Will arrive shortly.
Explanation: Often used for marketing and promotions.
Example: “New products are coming soon.”
Best Use: Ads, websites
Worst Use: Technical or academic writing
Tone: Exciting, informal
13. “In the near future”
Meaning: Will happen soon but not immediately.
Explanation: Soft, polite way of indicating time.
Example: “We plan to hire more staff in the near future.”
Best Use: Polite statements, work emails
Worst Use: Urgent situations
Tone: Calm, neutral
14. “Projected”
Meaning: Expected to happen based on planning or data.
Explanation: Common in finance or forecasting.
Example: “The launch is projected for April.”
Best Use: Reports, analytics
Worst Use: Friendly talk
Tone: Formal, analytical
15. “Anticipated”
Meaning: Expected with interest or enthusiasm.
Explanation: Adds excitement or positivity.
Example: “The anticipated update will roll out next month.”
Best Use: Marketing, PR, education
Worst Use: Simple reminders
Tone: Positive, formal
16. “Expected”
Meaning: Planned or likely to happen.
Explanation: Clear and professional.
Example: “The results are expected next week.”
Best Use: Work emails, reports
Worst Use: Creative writing
Tone: Formal–neutral
17. “Around the corner”
Meaning: Coming very soon.
Explanation: Adds a friendly, visual feel.
Example: “The holidays are around the corner.”
Best Use: Social media, casual speech
Worst Use: Legal or official contexts
Tone: Casual, cheerful
18. “In store”
Meaning: Planned and prepared for the future.
Explanation: Often hints at excitement.
Example: “We have surprises in store for you.”
Best Use: Marketing, creative writing
Worst Use: Corporate documents
Tone: Friendly, upbeat
19. “Slated”
Meaning: Scheduled or assigned for a specific time.
Explanation: Very common in news and business.
Example: “The event is slated for May 15.”
Best Use: Journalistic writing, corporate updates
Worst Use: Casual speech
Tone: Formal, precise
20. “Destined”
Meaning: Meant to happen; planned for the future.
Explanation: Adds drama or emotional meaning.
Example: “She is destined for a major promotion.”
Best Use: Motivational writing
Worst Use: Strict factual communication
Tone: Inspirational, emotional
21. “On the horizon”
Meaning: Likely to appear or happen soon.
Explanation: Implies something big or important is approaching.
Example: “Big changes are on the horizon.”
Best Use: Blogs, inspirational writing
Worst Use: Legal writing
Tone: Creative, neutral
22. “To be launched soon”
Meaning: Something new is about to release.
Explanation: Clear for products and services.
Example: “The app is to be launched soon.”
Best Use: Marketing, announcements
Worst Use: Casual conversation
Tone: Professional, promotional
📊 Comparison Table of Common Alternatives
| Phrase | Tone | Best For | Not Ideal For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forthcoming | Formal | Corporate writing | Casual texting |
| Coming up | Neutral | Daily speech | Legal writing |
| Imminent | Urgent | Press releases | Friendly chats |
| In the pipeline | Professional | Business planning | Academic essays |
| Around the corner | Casual | Social media | Serious emails |
| Scheduled | Formal | Meetings, planning | Casual chats |
❓ FAQs
1. Is “upcoming” formal or informal?
It’s neutral, so it works in both formal and informal settings.
2. What’s the most formal synonym for “upcoming”?
Forthcoming, scheduled, or imminent.
3. What’s the most casual synonym?
Coming up, on the way, or around the corner.
4. Can I use “upcoming” in business emails?
Yes. It’s widely used and fully professional.
5. Which synonym should I use for marketing?
Coming soon, in store, or anticipated work best.
📝 Conclusion
Using different ways to say “upcoming” helps you sound more natural, confident, and expressive in English. Word choice can change tone, clarity, and professionalism, so choosing the right synonym matters. Y
ou now have more than 12 powerful alternatives you can use at work, in writing, and in everyday conversation. Try mixing these phrases in your emails, reports, and messages to improve your communication skills.
